F. whereas the absence of rule of law and the high levels of violence in Libya, combined with the proliferation of weapons and the vacuum of power, have allowed violent extremist groups such as Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Ansar al-Shariah in Libya (ASL) to thrive; whereas these terrorist organisations are using Libya as a safe haven from which to launch operations against neighbouring countries, and Libya has become a new destination for foreign jihadist fighters;

E. whereas after a fresh offensive in April-May 2015 IS/Da’esh captured Ramadi on 17 May and Palmyra on 21 May, bringing 50 % of Syrian territory under its control; whereas the transnational nature of the so-called Islamic State, which has significant financial resources and around 200 000 fighters, according to some sources, poses a threat to the wider region; whereas thousands of foreigners, including EU citizens, are estimated to be fighting with these armed groups; whereas the upsurge of IS/Da’esh has exacerbated the humanitari ...[+++]an crisis, notably with a massive displacement of civilians;

I. whereas thousands of foreign fighters, including many from EU Member States, have reportedly joined the fighting alongside the IS; whereas several governments, notably those of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Tunisia and Russia are taking legal and security measures to ban activities with links to IS and other extremist Islamist groups; whereas the UK and Dutch governments have announced their intention to revoke the passports of citizens returning home after having joined IS; whereas on 24 September the Security Council will discuss a US-sponsored resolution on the issue;

L. whereas the possibility has been raised of carrying out air strikes in eastern Syria; whereas at the NATO meeting of 5 September 2014 an anti-IS coalition was formed; whereas the European External Action Service (EEAS) is currently working on a comprehensive regional strategy to address the threat posed by IS; whereas on 10 September 2014 US President Barack Obama unveiled his strategy to combat IS, which includes, among other actions, a systematic campaign of air strikes against IS targets ‘wherever they are’, including in Syria, increased support for allied ground forces fighting IS, and greater counter-terrorism efforts aimed at cuttin ...[+++]g off the group’s funding; whereas the Arab League has pledged to strengthen cooperation to bring down IS in Syria and Iraq;

—Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (alias (a) GICM, (b) Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain).

Other information: (a) Associated with Afghan Support Committee (ASC), Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) and the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) Photograph and fingerprints available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UNSC Special Notice.